When I heard voices coming from downstairs, I thought Dahlia and Cade were in the house. That's why I went down, but I saw no one in the living room. Still, there was noise, which led me to the area with the jacuzzi and the... pole. There, the sight was not pleasant at all—Axton was in the water, talking to an older man while two blond bimbos danced naked before them.

Of course, Axton immediately noticed me, but I didn't give him a chance to shout 'Get out of here' or something similar in his typical style, but quickly ran back to my room.

That view shouldn't have bothered me at all. Only, I couldn't fall asleep all night. It was very irritating, while rolling in the bed and squeezing my eyes to pain, to keep seeing Axton in the jacuzzi enjoying these crooked girls with drooping boobs.

Except that their legs were very much perfect—long and slender with skin like from satin, and their silicone boobs were precisely well-shaped.

I looked down at my chest and cupped my breasts with my hands. They barely filled my little palms.

Damn! Stop it, Ella! Just stop! This is Axton, his taste, and his way of having fun. You have nothing to compare to them.

Plus, there was no need for me to compare at all; Axton was the worst type of man, and for a million reasons, I didn't have to be attracted to him. There was danger outside, and when, or if that danger decreased and I hypothetically made it alive throughout the way, I would disappear somewhere to start a new life by myself. Only that little I should have craved, but the tricky unknown was what exactly would happen throughout that way.

And just like that, the hours passed by until slightly yellowish shades started to peek through the window. The sun was ready to rise and shape the new day.

The sounds had not been heard for a while; the stripers had probably gone or ended up in Axton's bed. Whatever the case was, I assumed at this time there was nothing wrong with me going to the kitchen for tea. It was supposed for everyone to sleep.

I tiptoed down the stairs—as I thought, there was no presence there. It was still quite dark and, thankfully, quiet.

But on my way to the kitchen, an unknown man was just walking out from there. He didn't look much well, probably overdrunk or drugged, or maybe both. I've witnessed this kind of state many times in Grayson's house. I shuddered at the memory of it.

The man took a few steps toward my direction, not coordinated steps, but still, he made it to me.

I greeted him quietly and tried to go around him, but he blocked my path. "Don't be in such a hurry, doll." He grabbed my hair and held me close. "Let's play."

"Let me go," I cried out and tried to push him away, but he pressed me roughly toward the wall.

With one hand, he covered my mouth and, with the other, started to move my blouse up.

I was trying to scream, I screamed, but the sound couldn't let out of my mouth. And while my body was shaking and tears went down, I hit him with my knee between his legs.

The moment he winced, I pulled away from him and screamed, "Help!"

He obviously swallowed the pain and was faster than me. Grabbed me again and continued trying to get me undressed.

"Heeeelp!" At least this time, I could keep my voice loud while fighting in his grip.

Then, all of a sudden, Axton appeared as if from nowhere, clad only in boxers, water dripping over his bare chest. Without hesitation, he punched the man in the face. A second hit followed, and while the man looked like he tried to excuse himself, Axton kicked him out of the house.

Deep inside, I hoped exactly for Axton to come, but when only he and I left, I realized that somehow I just had created another mess.

"I am sorry," I spoke first while I tried to fix my blouse, avoiding looking him in the eyes.

He stood before me and lifted my chin. "You really have no idea how you affect men, don't you?"

What could that possibly mean? I remembered the blondies—they would certainly fire men's urges, but I? With the exception of Grayson's obsession and that once in the club when Axton made me feel sexy for him, I was far away from a girl who could gain the attention of men.

"I don't know what you mean."

I didn't expect Axton to explain what he meant, but instead of harsh words, his hand slid gently over my cheek, and his finger went through my lips.

Only that touch made me forget what happened minutes ago and brought back the irresistible craving to feel Axton's skin. Once again, it stopped mattering to me if this was right or completely not; his proximity set a burning anticipation in me.

And like in the most profound secret dreams, his lips swooped on mine, chasing away all fears and doubts. His kiss was a storm, and his tongue raged in my mouth as it intertwined with mine. My world revolved while he pressed me to him, and I felt his wet chest against mine. All I could do was surrender in his arms.

Each of his next movements ignited the passion more; he moved me to the mirror column and turned me around.

Watching him kissing my neck sent me into ecstasy I never felt. I closed my eyes and reached my arms back above my head to wrap them behind his neck—I needed to feel his flesh.

My exposed skin beneath the blouse Axton removed was electrified, my nipples hard. My body screamed and begged for his burning touches, but instead, he suddenly stopped.

I opened my eyes and looked at his reflection, but he didn't move nor even blink for a few very long moments.

His following words knocked me to the ground. "Get out of here! Get out of here now!"

I crouched to take my blouse and covered my chest with it. Somehow, that was the most humiliating moment in all of my miserable life.

Without turning around, I ran to my room and lay on the bed, still half-naked, squeezing the garment in my hands. How could I have been so stupid to think that I could be good enough for him while knowing how defective I was?

After maybe an hour of so many painful thoughts, Mrs. Giselle knocked on my door. "The breakfast is ready, honey. Would you like me to get yours here, or would you prefer to come downstairs?"

My first instinct was to ask for breakfast in the room, but then I thought about it.

I won't hide again. Axton didn't want me—okay. It would have been better that way. And as he probably didn't care much about that, I should also force myself to do the same.

"Thank you, Mrs. Giselle. No need. I am coming in a minute."

I finally put back my blouse on and went to the living room. At the perfect time, of course—Cade just walked into the house with the gross man from this morning.

That put on pause my no-hiding intent; I quickly stood behind a column next to the stairs. I couldn't see where they both settled, but I heard the voices clear.

"Come on, man. What did you do to make Ax kick you out?" Cade asked the man.

"Nothing that much. I kind of tried on some bitch, but Axton freaked out when he saw it."

"Some bitch? That tall? Oh, man... You touched his girl?"

"His girl? I thought she was an entertainment girl."

That sounded just great. Now, I looked like a prostitute?

"What exactly gave you that thought? You made a big mistake."

"You said there was nothing to worry about a minute ago."

"I changed my mind. I didn't know you tried to... Oh, bro. You shouldn't have done that."

"Cade, you start to sound serious, man."

"I am. And trust me, so Axton has been. It doesn't matter if you are his blood; it's better to get out of here before he comes."

"I have had some business here for a few days. Where to go?"

"In a hotel? It's not that hard to think. Tell Dave and Dylan to come with you. Damn, you are like an infant boy."

"It's like I'm listening to my father. Okay, I'm out. But could you give me some..."

"Oh..." Cade's huffing sounded annoyed. "Take that and go."

I liked the sound of the closing door that followed, and I breathed out a relief. Although I didn't get everything from the conversation I overheard, I didn't expect that Axton and this guy were blood relatives. The man's voice had an evident accent that betrayed he was not American for sure. But that, and why Cade called me Axton's girl, were things I didn't want to think about.

"You can come." Cade's voice sounded again.

Wasn't he alone?

"I am talking to you, Ella."

I jumped in surprise. How did he know I was there?

With unsteady steps, I came out of my hiding place and went to Cade on the couch. "Hey."

"It looks like I'd missed some fun," he said.

"It wasn't very funny for me."

"But it's always fun to watch Axton's angry reactions. So, where is our boy?"

"I don't know."

While talking to Cade, I discreetly studied his face. His hair had no detergent now, and it fell unruly over his forehead. For the first time, I paid attention to his features—there was depth in his light brown eye. As he spoke, small prickles appeared on his clean-shaven cheeks. Dahlia was right—Cade was a handsome man, and at that moment, I cursed the superficial judgment about him I had made.

Well, the memory of his hammer still made me shiver, but he continued to talk, distracting me from that thought.

"I see... The McLaren is gone, clearly where Axton is."

I narrowed my eyes, not understanding.

"Nevermind. He probably won't come home soon."

As Cade stood up, perhaps with the intention to go, Mrs. Giselle served the breakfast on the dining table.

"Your favorite eggs with bacon, Mr. Adams. Eat before you go."

"Can't say no to your meals, Mrs. Giselle. Would you join us?"

Mrs. Giselle politely declined and withdrew after that.

Cade once again showed gentlemanliness, which amazed me each time. Well, I kept my thoughts to myself, and we started eating, but I broke the silence at some point. "I am sorry about that night."

"Everything is good. Don't think about that."

"It wasn't fair that Axton put the blame on you because of me."

"I was responsible for keeping you safe."

"Why do you talk like him?"

"Because, dear Ella,"—Cade took a moment to swallow his bite—"you could have died."

I didn't respond—this conversation was pointless, just like the one I had with Axton about that. But somehow, imperceptibly, we changed the subject and spent a long time talking about various topics, even after we finished our breakfast. Most were Dahlia-related; I found myself enjoying hearing the way Cade expressed his feelings for her. There was evident admiration, love, and respect in each of his words, and I couldn't deny I started to envy them a little bit.

While I had a relatively good time, Axton's turbulent entrance broke my peace of mind.

"It was about time, bro." Cade turned to him.

Axton didn't answer, only looked at me.

But I immediately broke our eye contact and stood up from the chair. "Excuse me, I'll take a walk."

I owed to myself to stay strong and not let Axton break me more than I was already broken.